Ad Disclosure
BREAKING: Juan Castillo Fired
By Kyle Scott
Published:
ANDY, SHAKING THINGS UP!
As first reported by CSN’s Reuben Frank, Juan Castillo, the offensive line coach turned defensive coordinator, has been fired. He’ll be replaced with Todd Bowles.
Andy Reid and the Eagles quickly released a statement:
"We’re six games into the season and average isn’t good enough. I know the potential of our team and insist on maximizing it.”
Bowles is in his first year with the Eagles, as the secondary coach. He played with the 49ers and Redskins (twice). He was mostly recently with the Dolphins as their secondary coach and assistant head coach, and was briefly named their interim head coach in December, 2011. He’s also coached with the Jets, Browns and Cowboys, and, before that, was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Morehouse College and defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Grambling State.
Castillo’s defensive coaching experience was almost nonexistent. As noted by Eagles beat reporter Matt Lombardo, Castillo’s defenses blew eight fourth quarter leads in 22 games with the Eagles.
Of course, you can’t totally blame Castillo. He was a lousy defensive coordinator, but he was put in a position to fail by Reid. Plus, the defense was probably the least of the Eagles’ problems this year. Michael Vick can’t stop giving the football to the other team, the offense doesn’t show up until the end of the second quarter, the best running back in the league doesn’t run the ball enough, and the same goofball head coach makes the same goofball mistakes he’s been making since I was a sophomore in high school. I’m 29 now.
Reid firing Castillo is essentially him admitting a mistake. At the time of Castillo’s announcement as defensive coordinator, many assumed the move would define Reid, either make or break him. It broke him, for sure, but it looks like he’ll be given 10 games to redeem himself. If not, we can assume that Andy will join Juan in the unemployment line in January.
The Eagles will hold a press conference at noon.
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.